Download Local Anaesthetic and Sedation for Your Procedure

© The State of Queensland (Queensland Health), 2008
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Consent Information - Patient Copy
Local Anaesthetic and Sedation for Your Procedure
A local anaesthetic is used to numb a small part
of your body. It is used when nerves can be
easily reached by drops, sprays, ointments or
injections.
It is used to prevent or relieve pain, but will not
put you to sleep.
Sometimes local anaesthetics are uncomfortable
so a light sedation may be given to make the
procedure less unpleasant.
Local anaesthetic with sedation is a less risky
alternative (if appropriate) to having a general
anaesthetic.
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Mild allergic reaction - itching or rash
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Temporary nerve damage.
Uncommon side effects and complications from
sedation anaesthesia
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Damage to teeth, dental prosthetics and lips
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Allergic reactions and/or asthma
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Damage to nerves and pressure areas
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Epileptic seizure
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An existing medical condition getting worse.
Rare risks of sedation which may cause death
A drip will be put into a vein in your hand or
forearm. A mild sedative drug is injected into a
vein to induce a ‘sleepy like’ state. It makes you
feel very relaxed during the procedure. You may
remember some or little about what has
happened during the procedure.
Prior to coming into hospital for your procedure
you will be told by staff when to have your last
meal and something to drink. This is to make
sure your stomach is empty so that if you vomit
during the procedure there will be nothing to go
into your lungs.
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Vomit in the lungs (pneumonia)
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Severe allergic reaction or shock
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Permanent nerve damage
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Stroke or heart attack
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Blood clot in the lungs
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Brain damage.
Common side effects and complications of a
local anaesthetic
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Nerve damage - Nerve damage, if it
happens, is usually temporary, and will get
better over a period of weeks to months.
Damage may cause weakness and/or
numbness of the body part that the nerve
goes to. Permanent nerve damage rarely
happens.
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Bruising (haematoma) - If you take Aspirin,
Warfarin, Clopidogrel (Plavix and Iscover) or
Dipyridamole (Persantin and Asasantin) you
are more likely to get a haematoma as it may
affect your blood clotting. Your doctor will
discuss this with you.
•
Failure of local anaesthetic - This may
require a further injection of anaesthetic or a
different method of anaesthesia to be used.
A. What are the risks of sedation?
3B
Modern sedation is generally very safe but
sedation has a risk with side effects and
complications. Whilst these are usually
temporary, some of them may cause long-term
problems.
The risk to you will depend on:
− whether you have any other illness
− personal factors, such as whether you
smoke or are overweight.
Common side effects and complications of
sedation anaesthesia
Less common side effects and complications of
a local anaesthetic
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Headache
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Pain and/or bruising at injection site
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Infection
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Sore or dry throat and lips
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Faintness or dizziness, especially when you
start to move around
Damage to surrounding structures such as
blood vessels, nerves and muscles.
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Fall in blood pressure.
Less common side effects and complications of
sedation anaesthesia
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Nausea and vomiting
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Muscle aches and pains
•
Weakness
Rare Risks and complications of a local
anaesthetic
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Overdose of local anaesthetic
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Seizures
•
Cardiac Arrest.
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Consent Information - Patient Copy
Local Anaesthetic and Sedation for Your Procedure
You must tell the doctor of any:
Increased risks
− Health problems
Risks are increased if:
− you are elderly
− Infectious diseases
− smoke
− Past operations
− are overweight.
− Serious illnesses
− False teeth, caps, loose teeth or other
dental problems
and if you have the following:
− A bad cold or flu, asthma or other chest
disease
− Any medical problems needing regular
treatment or a stay in hospital including
diabetes and high blood pressure
− Diabetes
− Heart disease
− Allergies/intolerances of any type.
− Kidney disease
C. Recovery from sedation
− High blood pressure
5B
B. Your responsibilities before having
a procedure
After the procedure, nursing staff will watch you
closely until you are fully awake. You will then be
given something to eat and drink and rest until
you have recovered enough to go home.
You are at less risk of problems from a sedation
anaesthetic if you do the following:
D. Things for you to avoid after your
procedure
Increase your fitness before your procedure to
improve your blood circulation and lung health. If
you are overweight, reducing your weight will
reduce many of the risks of having anaesthetic.
Sedation will affect your judgment for about 24
hours. For your own safety:
− Other serious medical conditions.
4B
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Give up smoking at least 6 weeks before your
procedure to give your lungs and heart a chance
to improve. Smoking reduces the oxygen in your
blood and increases breathing problems during
and after an operation.
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Bring all your prescribed drugs, those drugs you
buy over the counter, herbal remedies and
supplements and show your doctor what you are
taking. Tell your doctor about any allergies or
side effects you may have.
6B
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Do NOT drive any type of car, bike or other
vehicle.
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Do NOT operate machinery including cooking
implements.
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Do NOT make important decisions or sign a
legal document.
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Do NOT drink alcohol, take other mindaltering substances, or smoke. They may
react with the anaesthetic drugs.
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Have an adult with you on the first night after
your procedure.
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Drink less alcohol as alcohol may alter the affects
of anaesthetic drugs. Do not drink any alcohol 24
hours before the procedure.
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Stop taking recreational drugs before the
procedure as these may affect the anaesthetic. If
you have a drug addiction please tell your doctor.
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If you take Aspirin, Warfarin, Clopidogrel (Plavix
and Iscover) or Dipyridamole (Persantin and
Asasantin or any other drug that is used to thin
your blood ask your doctor if you should stop
taking it before the procedure as it may affect
your blood clotting.
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If you are on the contraceptive pill let the doctor
know. This adds to the risk of you having a blood
clot.
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